Robert M Haynes – “Bob”

Graduation saw Judy and me on an admin hold awaiting the birth of our daughter Kerry.  After 3 weeks, she finally decided to roll out of the hanger and we were turned loose to make our journey to Yuma Arizona where I would join another training squadron, VMAT 103.  This was my first introduction to Marine Corps aviation and it was interesting from the gitgo. We had to find an apartment in town for the three of us, once that was done, off to ground school and into the TA4F for my initial training to earn my Navy Wings.Ground school completed, the initial flying phase began, and after 65 more hours I finally received my Navy Wings and onto the next phase….. advanced training.  I had to move to the hanger next door, this one belonged to VMT-102, consisting of all single sear A-4E’s. Here I went to advanced air to ground delivery, in-flight refueling, low level navigation, and a ton of other stuff.

Robert M. Haynes – “Bob”

“Back in early July, Bob ventured forth from North Carolina with wife and dog to become a student in the first class at Columbus AFB. Being a First Lieutenant, Bob was thrown into a leadership position but the first parade illustrated that there might be a breakdown in communications… Bob has taken a lot of hazing being one of the few Marines on base but he did not mind as he was secure in the knowledge that one day he would smoke our Buffs with his A-4. We wish Bob and Judy luck.”

71-01 Yearbook, page 11.